I have known my wife, Keran, over 25 years, since
we went to the same school and after we both used to share the
bus ride to college. Don’t tell her but I had secretly fancied
her at School, but being the shy retiring sort I was (I know –
times change), I never got round to asking her out (too busy playing
football).

Anyway after a few years I joined the RAF and
did my time for Queen and Country. During this period we wrote
to each other regularly. Our friendship grew and grew. By the
time I left the RAF we were officially ‘stepping out’
together. As I stepped out the RAF back into Civvie Street we
were engaged and making plans to move to the south. I joined the
Police and served as a Police Officer until recently.

We have lived in the South Bucks area all the
time, our first child was born in George Green, and
our second came along when we moved to Iver Heath. They are both our
pride and joy and are growing into bright young children.

When our eldest reached the age of six he joined
the local Beaver Scout group, and after a period of time the leader
wanted to step down and was on the hunt for a new leader. Initially
I was asked but with shift work it wasn’t really an option.
But Keran didn’t have that excuse, she tried the well women
can’t do it, Scouts is a ‘boy thing’.

But as with a lot of ‘Scouter’s’
she was eventually press ganged into it, the usual saying being,
‘it’s only an hour a week’!! Well maybe the
sessions last an hour but all the preparation, purchasing, letter
writing and phone calls she made amount to a bit more than that.
But she threw herself into it with gusto, attending the numerous
training weekends and meetings.

The Beaver section started to grow from strength
to strength, the Scout group eventually roped myself and two other
dads into running the Cubs between us (after the Cub Leader stepped
down). Beavers was becoming so popular Keran, or Rabbit (those
that know her knows she can – ‘rabbit’ that
is), even ran sessions back to back, so rather than just one group,
to make sure all those on the waiting list didn’t wait too
long. She started a second session for the older Beaver Scouts.

Which meant more children had access to ‘Fun
and Friends’, the Beavers motto. Her hard work has seen
the Group grow to the success we have now. Cubs are full to bursting
and Scouts too are at a very healthy level, many of the Scouts
are all ex Beavers of ‘Rabbits’.

She has also helped to organise so many fund raising events, with
the help of all the supporters of the group, earning the group
many thousands of pounds. But more importantly nothing has brought
her as much happiness as seeing the Boys develop into bright young
Beavers, and go onto greater challenges with Cubs and Scouts.

Apart from spending her free time running the Beaver Scouts she
also helped with the local drama group, assisting with the running
of the junior section. She also passed the County Test to drive
the minibus, so she could drive the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts around
as well as the local School children if asked. Keran’s life
over the past 12 years has been focused all around children.

Even her job over 7 years or so was that of a
Childminder. Keran is such a caring, loving person, and that love
is shared around with friends and family, her precious children,
and those in her care. We are very rarely, a quiet-house, with
children coming and going, and joining us on our ‘Henderson
Hikes’ around the local area.

I am not going to go into all the nightmare that
has befallen us over the last 14 Months or so, as hopefully we
will get a time and a place to totally rubbish the allegation
laid at our door. But even from the early days Keran was just
so concerned that how the system can attack people (Childminders,
Carers) take away their lively-hood, their fun activities (Beavers,
etc) and even intrude into their personal life’s with the
likes of Social Services (with their history of breaking up families).
She has been determined that when this finishes that she (we)
will do something.

Keran still cares, even after what she has been
through. To me that shows what sort of person she is and I cannot
believe how the ‘system’ using their opinions can
attack and punish without trial. My faith in so many things has
been completely shattered.

But my faith in one thing remains as solid as
a rock.

Keran, I love you, I believe in you a thousand
percent, you are what has brought me the ultimate happiness and
two fit and healthy boys. You keep me strong, you stand by me
and I will stand by you, for better or worse.

Even as we have been to the lowest darkest places
we have ever been, what we have taken away are still positives.
We know who are friends are now, we know we will change things
to make it better for others who come after us into this nightmare
place. We know only a stronger love, we know that the simple things
are often the most important, we know we have two very special
boys.
I know we will come through stronger and tougher.

I know this because I know you, I know this because
I love you with all my heart.